“There was a willingness on the part of Yaya Touré to join Inter. The player agreed and Mancini agreed. Then something went wrong between the companies.”

Those were the words of former City coach Attilio Lombardo late last year, explaining just how close Touré was to a reunion with Mancini last summer. Yaya opted to remain with City for unconfirmed reasons, and has contributed 8 goals and 7 assists in all competitions this season.

Inter have again been linked with the Ivorian throughout the season, but with Champions League football and the resulting income almost impossible now, it has looked more unlikely than ever. Enter China.

The Suning Commerce Group, one of China’s largest privately owned retailers, are currently in advanced talks to purchase 20% of the Serie A club. According to Tuttosport today, one of Mancini’s main requests with the extra money available would be to sign Yaya Touré.

Touré would reportedly demand a two-year deal on a high salary, figures that the Chinese group could help Inter pay. In return, Suning could include a clause in the deal that would eventually see the 32-year-old join their Chinese Super League club, Jiangsu Suning – currently home to Alex Teixeira, Ramires and former City forward Jô.